Which screws to fix a creaking floor?

Decking screws are quite brittle so heads can sheer off (don't ask how I know), I'd use Reisser cutters, probably 2"/50mm depending how thick the boards are.

 

Also check that there is no covenant regarding fitting laminate floor due to sound transmission to flat below. Surprisingly common.

 

When you say 'space between nails is quite big' , do you mean width of board or along its length ?

Boards are usually fixed with 1 fixing at each side, but yes, should be secured at every joist

Often over the years when boards are lifted for electrical and plumbing works, they're put back down poorly with split boards, stupid short lengths resting on 25mm of joist and less fixings than originally used

Good idea to sort floor at this stage - well worth investment in terms of time and money

Replace any damaged or short lengths where they are supported just by 1 joist at either end

Screws are better than nails for sure, although nails were always used in the past, cut nails often, but screws are also easier to remove should boards need lifting in the future

Use screws where the thread stops 20mm or so before the head. This allows the board to be pulled super tight to the joist

As always, be very careful regarding services under floorboard and adding additional fixings - X-Ray eyes would be useful in this situation

 

Reissser cutters do a 5mm part thread screw (top 30mm not threaded) at length of 55mm and longer.

 

Fixed a very squeaky floor for my mates parents a few years back. They'd put up with it for 30 yrs, but a few hours and 500 screws later, was totally squeak free, they couldn't believe it!

 

How about http://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-na...cat840052#category=cat840052&brand=floor_tite ?
Slightly cheaper at TS.

 

They'll do, might need to pre-drill a hole first though. EDIT: says "No pilot hole necessary" so may be not!

 

Reissers are only slightly more expensive so I'd go with those, if I could find them at a local store. Your local SF might be more convenient though and hence go with the Floor Tite. Not a lot in it I think for this use, but I would expect the Reissers to perform better.

 

If they are floor board - that is nominally 5, 6 or 8 inch wide then I would suggest Tongue Tite http://www.screwfix.com/p/tongue-tite-screws-3-5-x-45mm-200-pack/85991 If you go for Reisser, then make sure they are PART threaded.

Part threading means that it will only bite in the joist and pull the board down.

 

Prob the best bit of advice on here. If there are pipes notched in to the joists and or electric cables within range of a screw sods law says you WILL hit them. If a plumber nailed the boards down to avoid the pipes, the pipes will be between the nails - just where you are going to screw!

Just a thought - If you are desperate to add more fixings and can't lift the floor first, although I've never used one, there are a lot of cheap endoscope cameras around now that link to your phone which might allow you to look under the boards first to check for services. e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Depstech-S...&qid=1505483765&sr=8-7&keywords=led+endoscope

 

The creaking is often caused by the board flexing and moving against/around the nail as the boards dry out and shrink slightly over time. Have a go first at resetting all the nails with a hammer and punch - at least you know you aren't going to hit any services that way. It sounds daft but a dusting of baby powder around the nails acts as a lubricant as well (similar to graphite dust in locks). Added bonus is that it has a very nostalgic smell.

If you need to add screws I use these - They're really expensive but really good. I just tell my clients that and they haven't let me down yet - the screws, not the clients.

 

Unfortunately, and although it involves more work, using full-threaded screws is best.
The top unthreaded part and the underside of a part-threaded screw head can squeak against the wood, especially if the wood shrinks only a small amount.
With full thread, neither moves against each other.

 

But full thread risks the board being jacked up.if there is a slight gap it will still be there when the screw nips up. Best screws are proper flooring screws which have almost a plain section but with a short section of thread with a different pitch which pulls the boards together. Best of both worlds. I would never use a fully threaded screw for flooring.

 

As I said, it's more work. If you ensure you apply enough pressure when screwing down, it should not create a gap. If it does, simply unwind and wind in again.

 

Rubbish.

With fully threaded you cannot guarantee to get the board and joist against each other.

 

RUBBISH. And how many times will you need to take screws in and out, 5, 10, 20 or more.

Part threaded or ones with two different threads which pull them together.

 

Well, none, if you apply enough pressure to keep the timbers together!

And I did say unfortunately involves more work! But it will guarantee the screws and boards don't squeak together.

 

You know that, I know that, and so do many others but there are some who deny it and wrongly say a full thread screw is best!.

Flooring screws, as you know are only part threaded - I wonder why they were designed that way?